Looking for answers to life's questions

All winter I mentioned to my son that when he came for a visit, he should fly out and rent a large truck and take lots of stuff back with him. He had to drive one of those when he moved his things back to Arizona and it wasn’t fun. It was January, cold and lots of snow and ice all the way. It’s summer now, almost.

All 3 lilac bushes in the memory garden are blooming.

Does he listen to his mom? Not usually. I was hoping he would wait another month to come out until I was a little more rested and ready for the chores and clearing I was preparing to get done. Instead, they show up two days after I get back home from my trip visiting them driving the father-in-law’s pickup truck. I was absolutely certain that everything I had for him to take home would not fit.

They came to work. Tools in the back taking up valuable space but they came in handy. I had a list of big and little jobs for getting this place inspection ready and for the future sale when that should need to happen.

New laptop came unhinged

Tech Support saving the day…again.

They worked hard each day completing projects that I had asked to be done and many that popped up out of current need.

Because my daughter is now living in the room they usually slept in, we had to make adjustments. I gave them my queen bed and tried the air-mattress in the sewing room floor. Didn’t do it for me so we tried to put it in the den and moved out the TV into the living room.

They had to be emptied to move.

He had to get the wiring right for the TV

This had to be unloaded too. So I dusted really good.

He turned one bookcase sideways without unloading. Scary

All the books had to be moved. I slept in there a night and it was slightly better. Mentioning it to my sister, she suggested we come get the full-size bed she wasn’t using. After the hour drive to her house, the kids did a good job of getting it down her stairs, into her open bed truck, then set up in my den. I now have a guest room again. I slept very nicely the rest the two weeks they were here. We had a giant inside shuffle.

Does it have enough air?

It feels ok now.

Very comfy guest bed in the den now.

My son trimmed the shims under the master bedroom toilet and caulked it, replaced the flimsy skirting we had originally put around the new raised deck after the fire and hauled all the wood out from under the deck. It had to go. They pressure washed the old deck wood and cut it to fit in the truck. Then we went to the shed and got four large boxes of Dept 56 village pieces, several boxes of Christmas ornaments and trims, a space heater, pictures and knick knacks that would eventually be his anyway. He took books and anything else I could give him. If he didn’t take it, I threatened it would be sold in the yard sale.

They work as a team.

wood drying out after a good wash. Under the deck was muddy and buggy. Yuk.

They also arranged several contractors to come look at my carport to see about repairing it. It’s leaked since I moved in and I can’t sell it like that. The main roof has to wait…indefinitely. It’s not leaking yet.

A bribe for one of the contractors. His two sons are my step great grandsons. Long story.

They wouldn’t let me pay them so I took them to my new favorite place for breakfast.

In SE Portland, Hawthorne street is an eclectic, artistic area where hippy and creative types hang out. They have great shopping and fun little restaurants. Not a chain to be seen. So, it was breakfast at Bread & Ink for all with my sister joining us. My sister and niece introduced me to this sweet, busy restaurant. Breakfast was my daughter’s contribution because she was always at work. We love the atmosphere and the food. Here is the link to the history of this wonderful little place. They stand for an hour to get a table on weekends. https://www.southeastexaminer.com/2016/01/bread-and-ink-cafe/

Their special bread for French toast and bananas/whipped cream

Best waffles ever and I shared.

Scone and Jam are made here.

Egg scramble

crab omelette and cheesy polenta

Niece’s idea of a balanced meal. Giving it 2 thumbs up

Some of the ink drawings

More of the ink drawings

Ink drawings on envelopes. No longer allowed

Then came the stuffing of the truck. My DIL is quite skilled at fitting 40 pounds of stuff in a two-pound bag. Son took a large portion of what I had set out but there will be more. The truck needed to be a bit bigger.

How do you deal with the unexpected and are you good at stuffing?

Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. — Jim Rohn

Comments on: "The Pick Up -Truck" (69)

Marlene, you have the best family! So glad your son and his wife were able to give you a hand with some big projects. I actually had to break down and message my son-in-law for some help today. He works for our parks district and is a master at yard care. I just need some advice, and maybe a little help! It’s hard to ask, though.

Thanks so much, Missy. I have the best kids in the world, if I do say so myself. I understand not wanting to ask the SIL but he may be waiting for you to ask so he won’t feel like he’s stepping on toes. I love the extra sunlight. I do get up very early to do my outside work before it gets very warm. 🙂 Just your kind of weather. Have a great week and a wonderfilled Mother’s day weekend.

You are indeed fortunate to have children who are so helpful. I know some who never see or hear from their kids…so sad. You certainly got a lot accomplished. I’m sure it feels good. Being a creature of routine, I don’t handle the unexpected too well. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day! xo

Thank you, Jill. I did hit the lottery when it came to kids. My two are the best. It was like a whirl wind here but the outcome was wonderful. Still more to do. My sister and I got a load of rock and shoveled it last week. That’s hard work!!! She wanted to do it again this week. I’m looking for a facility for her. Can you commit your sister for overworking you? 😉 My life has always been unexpected. Military life does that to you. I just roll with it the best I can. Hope you have a wonderfilled weekend as well. I don’t know if you have children so I’ll just say have a happy day. 😉

It’s always nice to get help when it’s really needed! Lucky you to have such willing helpers! Your lilacs look great and are probably incredibly fragrant. I hope the carport repairs go swiftly and as planned. Doing repairs and renovations around the house is never easy. Have a good week, Marlene, and happy Mother’s Day! 💖

I always end up chuckling at your posts of clearing out – there is always truck loads it seems and always more to be done. I do wonder where you have kept it all 🙂 I’m so glad they came, saw and sorted. What a wonderful family!! I was hoping they had come to scoot you off with them too, But then I remembered you have your daughter there still, so maybe not just yet. Depending on what the unexpected is, I can embrace it with alacrity or be dragged whining loudly in its wake…… it’s all relative isn’t it 🙂

Owning a home comes with so much responsibility, but I miss it in many ways. At least you can do what you want, when you want, but then comes the chores of repairing, hauling, tossing…
Your last post hinted at some major changes Marlene, so I can see this all being a lead up to something bigger, and I hope better for you in every respect. Thanks for keeping us up-to-date!

Here we do not get to do what we want. We have to check with management before much of anything happens. There are some things I can do without asking but most has to be cleared like the carport repair. I’m in a position where something with a little less work might be a good idea for me. We shall see. Covering all my bases. 🙂 So happy to hear from you. Hope all is well in your corner.

I remember when my mom told my sister and I to get all of our stuff out of their house…….we rented a huge UHaul and spent a very long 4 days getting it all out of their house and moving stuff around for them………..They were so happy. Now that I am older, I can see why they wanted all of our stuff gone. thanks for sharing.

I’m curious what you and your sister did with all the stuff. My house has been furnished mostly by family left behinds. I have extremely limited storage so stuff that serves no function has to leave. Thanks for joining the conversation, Wendi.

My DIL loved it. I’m a very luck person to have such a wonderful family. I posted about all the bookshelves in a few posts back. I think I have 6 in all after giving away one bookshelf worth of books away. Thanks for the visit, Luanne. I’ll get caught up soon.

My goodness, Marlene, you must be exhausted. All that shifting and moving and more shifting. I’ve never had a good night’s sleep on an air mattress, but kudos to you for trying. I’m glad your sis thought to offer the double bed and I’m pleased, too, that it’s comfortable. I hope you don’t feel too displaced with all these changes. It sounds like you got a lot done on the house itself and you had a good clearing out in the process. As for all that delicious looking food, my goodness that looks yummy. I’m reminded of all the great meals we had together on my visit, both in your home and out in the hood. Lots of good eats up there. Sending light your way. xo

I couldn’t sleep on that air mattress in the best of circumstances. It was very cold on my body no matter how many covers I put in between. The carpeted room helped some. I’m glad my sister had a bed available as well. I am happy with the changes as I had always wanted the TV where more could watch. There were five of us in the Living room and only three could fit in the den for a conversation or to watch family videos. I was exhausted but after several days of rest, back to spreading rock and planting flowers. Nigella is up but not bloomed!!!! 🙂 Getting ready to talk to management about fixing the carport. Daughter will come with to make sure I understand what they want. This bed has a board under the mattress so it’s soft but well supported. I wanted another guest room. Now I have it. 😉 I’d love to take to Bread and Ink. If I could get there myself, I’d be huge. Fortunately, I like to share half my food. It’s always too much for me.

Marlene, I’m glad you’ve had some rest and that you are now enjoying time in the garden. Air mattresses are one of those things that sound good but in reality aren’t. They are cold (I had forgotten about that), and they don’t handle general tossing and turning. I suppose they’re better than the floor…but not by much.

Congratulations on gaining a new guest room. I hope you’ll enjoy the changes going forward.

Your Nigella is almost up. Mine is flowering in phases this year which is interesting. I’ve been using it in small vases with sweet peas. As they fade, the Nigella buds bloom. Ah, spring.

Bread and Ink…what a great name. Love you, MH…and thank you for your email.

I’m feeling a lot of kindred spirit here. I have three more items to come from the old house into the new, and that’s it. I have packed and shifted 90% of it myself, and I’m now at the point where the body is about to go on strike, so I gave it a day off and a pedicure! I have to conclude that I’m excellent at stuffing, especially as I got one very large oak cupboard and two tables onto a 4x6ft trailer yesterday 🙂 The unexpected is OK, but I’m less happy about it if I’m stressed and tired, something that’s probably true for most of us. I’m glad you’ve had this fun family time, even if most of it sounds like bloody hard work!

Good for you for taking a day off after all that. I am exceedingly impressed at your stuffing abilities! I think at one time my last husband had an 8×10 trailer and we were always filling with one thing or the other. I think we are just big ants. 😉 I’d rather have family doing all that in my house than strangers. All I have to do is keep feeding them. 🙂 My daughter says I’m a natural feeder. It was harder for me this time than in the past. Frustrates the bejeezus out of me. I don’t like having to slow down but of course you can’t wind up a worn out rubber band. 😉 Thanks for the visit, Kate. See you soon I’m sure.

Thanks for stopping by, Mandy. They are a wonderful bunch and I appreciate them so much. They work for food so I’m in good shape there. Too bad they have to drive almost 1400 miles each way to help. It makes me really appreciate the help. I’m going to catch up on my reading now that I’ve almost caught my breath. 😉

That is amazing, so much done and taken care off. Fantastic. It is always so nice to just get going and get the things done.
Well done on the loading of the truck. 🙂 And maybe having a few things left that did not fit, will be a good reason for a next visit too.
And the breakfast looks amazing, I could enjoy such a treat myself. 🙂
Take care.

Thanks for the visit, Joey. It is good to get so much done and fluff the chi in this place once again. Almost like a spring cleaning. 😉 Those were the best waffles I’ve ever had anywhere. I don’t normally eat them but they called to me and when my niece let me taste hers, I was hooked. Too bad you are so far away. I’d take you just to have a reason to go. 🙂

I am exhausted reading this–how must you have felt, actually participating?! But what incredible progress you all made–it must feel really liberating. Your family sounds like a group of good, upbeat, hard workers–so nice to have around. Now, about those breakfasts–how would a person choose just one?!

Ha Ha. You tickle me, Kerry. You don’t choose. Each person orders something different and we share. You get a little of everything that way. It’s so fun and no one goes home with a sugar hangover. 🙂 We are all hard workers in spirit. I can’t do as much as before and my daughter pays a dear price for hard work so she pays for the meals. Everyone wins. I was quite exhausted and am now catching my breath. Daughter is taking me to the beach for Mother’s Day so nothing but relaxing. Everything here is pretty much sorted now. I’m delighted with it all. Doing my planting and making it beautiful outside again too. Thanks for stopping by.

It’s a strong possibility considering my health. My daughter will stay with me until I no longer am here. She’s been very helpful. Right now, it’s anyone’s guess how this will play out. IPF is unpredictable.

Thank you for stopping by, Writeknit. I wish I knew your name but it’s nowhere on your blog. I guess you quite writing and only review books now. I am very fortunate to have a very wonderful family. Not everyone is so lucky. Packing is an art. I am pretty good at it and so is my DIL. Hope to see you again. Remember we are both eat dessert first people. 😉

Wow! You’ve been all very busy! All that shifting and packing – my arms ache just from reading about it! 😂 Sleeping on air matresses is really horrible! So glad your sister helped out with the bed! And my, that’s a yummy breakfast place! Totally agree with your niece – that’s definitely a balanced breakfast. 😉

Yes, it was a month I don’t want to repeat anytime soon. I have over 200 blogs waiting to be read and a ton of weeds to pull and the list goes on and on. Sigh. My sister is a kind person and was happy to accept the bed and get good sleep. My niece can’t live or eat without texting her friends. I just adore her. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderfilled weekend, Sarah.

You are an inspiration with all your sorting, dusting and repairing! Wishing you good luck with the carport approvals and repairs. I live in a condo so I know all about rules and regulations and the process and patience required on what is simply routine maintenance.

I was thinking of a condo, Susanne as I am finding it difficult to keep up with the maintenance on this place. Maintenance is expensive. So are condos though. We shall see what comes next. Now hopefully I’ll get time to catch up here. 😉 Tomorrow we go talk to management. ;( Thanks for the visit, Susanne.

What a lot of work! 😀 … I usually roll with the unexpected, but only after I have a momentary pout. 🙂 … great at stuffing things in odd corners when packing, not fond of the unpacking bit though. There always seems to be more than I put in. I suspect shenanigans on the part of the objects in question. 🙂

Thank you so much for joining the conversation, Widdershins. I like that only have a ‘momentary’ pout at the unexpected. 😉 I think there are shenanigans going on in this house too because I keep getting rid of stuff and there is still more. Sigh. Maybe I can wave a magic wand.

I’m one of those people that have to stay fully covered in any sun. But as long as a breeze is blowing, I’m good to go. I agree, everything’s better with people you know. Thanks so much for stopping by.

When family pitches in to help with these big projects, it actually can end up being fun. I’ve helped my mother downsize twice now, once when she sold her house and several years later when she went into assisted living. I did actually enjoy it. When I have to do the same type of thing for myself, I can’t stand it.

I know what you mean, Liz. I have a hard time parting with certain things but I’m taking it in stages. We have a lot ready for a yard sale. I’ve given away so much already but you can’t take it with you so I’m trying to rehome everything. We did have a very good time. I fed them and they kept working. 😉 Thanks so much for stopping by, Liz.

Wow! What a great family you have, Marlene. I am tired just reading all they did. I’m so glad things are progressing. That deck must have been a huge job. Looks like the breakfast was amazing and well deserved! Happy Mother’s Day to you! 😍

Thank you, Jennie. Mother’s Day was wonderful. My daughter drove us to the beach for a couple of day of pure rest and relaxation. After all the work we did on the house, I was more than ready, The deck fire happened right after I bought this place so my son rebuilt it the way it should have been done originally. He was living with me at the time. I am a very fortunate woman to be so blessed with my wonderful children. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day as well. We had no internet at the beach so no computer time. 😉

So great to see that photo of Tech Support! Tell him I say HI next time you talk to him. Glad he helped and I hope he finds a way to cart off another load if he needs to. I know you’re always wishing you had less stuff stored there. I am also glad about the boards under the porch. Those have been niggling at you for a very long time.

Ok, so I’m going camping today with Tara per our Mother’s Day tradition. Then I’m going to New England for two weeks to see if I can figure out what the situation is there (I’m not one for working out serious issues with people online). THEN I will be back and it may be just the right time to do some work for you as it may be heating up again. Who knows? With August weather during May, maybe we’ll get February weather during June. In any case, I love weeding. Just plop me out there with my earbuds on so I can listen to an audio book, and I’m good for hours. Of course, if you’re sitting next to me, we will have to chat because there is always so much to say when we are together.

Hope you two enjoyed your camping trip as much as we enjoyed our beach trip. I’m a little less rugged than you. Good luck with your next trip at unraveling the mystery. Going to try and get those weeds out this week. I’ll do it between the rains when it’s cool and cloudy. Keep me posted as to how your trip goes.

The camping was a great time. We went to Silve Falls, did I tell you? I kept thinking of you and our trip to Mt. Angel. So far the trip is going well. I am just beginning a two-day break. Will went home and I am on my own in Boston. I’m going to run around visiting all my Brandeis friends in the afternoons and evenings, but this morning and tomorrow morning, I’m checking in on my computer! Dare I hope….find the time to post?

You have wonderful “kids,” Marlene. I’m sure they were more than willing to help with chores and hauling. I recently did the same for my parents (as they moved to senior housing). It was busy and a lot of work, but my brother and I were happy to do it. Breakfast was a great reward.

Thank you, D. Yes, they are very willing which makes it easier for me to ask. I’m not sure of my next stop but we are keeping an open mind on that one. It’s good you are there for them. We all need someone, sometime. Thanks for stopping by.

I, too, get exhausted reading this…particularly as I now more or less know that I will also need to move (closer to my son and grandkids) in a fairly near future. I get overwhelmed just thinking about it. So I’m not. Yet. I am happy you got so much help and then rewarded them with a royal breakfast. Wonderful.

Thanks for stopping by, Helen. Life is good and more work to come but for now a bit of relaxation. The “kids” did a great deal of work to help me and I’m eternally grateful. I love my house but a simpler life will be a must sooner than later. I’m sure you have lots of time yet and more travels and photos to take. Enjoy every minute.

I’m IMPRESSED! With your children, your sister, you entire family, and mostly, YOU. Yes, once our kids have grown up and flown out of our nest and made their own, we don’t need their ‘things,’ but they don’t want to give them up. I had the exact same problem. When my guy and I downsized from a large home to a smaller 2 bedroom place (and in another state) we HAD to get rid of a lot of things. I begged my kids to come take what they wanted. They just couldn’t seem to do it. I think they liked thinking that part of their childhood was still with their parents? I don’t know, but finally I threatened to give it all away, or toss, and finally a U-Haul truck came for my daughter. My son lived on the other coast, so I ended up mailing him his wife’s huge trunk filled with his old photos and ‘stuff.’ He paid for the mailing! 😉 Your kids are wonderful, Marlene, and it sounds like it was a fun time together, too, even though a lot of work. Oh, I’m reading this early in the morning, and my stomach is grumbling for some of that breakfast

Thanks for stopping by before breakfast, Pam. Now I’m going to head to the kitchen for breakfast as well. You have awakened my need to nosh. 😉 I do have great kids and always as helpful as life allows. We are summing up what’s important here and getting rid of the rest. Yard sale in 2 weeks will take care of much more, I hope. 😉

Dear Marlene. Life is never dull around you my friend that is for sure.. So pleased you got most of your chores sorted and completed upon your property Marlene.. And de-cluttering and downsizing to make things simple and easier.
Your Son and DIL worked hard and no doubt you are far from resting up after all that work, as I see you have an up and coming yard sale in a few weeks reading your comments 🙂
So pleased you managed to get a comfy bed to rest in.. And you have a guest room again.

I am about getting back into gear again Marlene after my vacation, I sometimes think we need a vacation to get over one.. And that is how I have felt.. I set too on the home garden upon my return, as the Wall-Flowers had finished, I dug three large bags of new compost into the front garden borders as the soil was getting tired and its very dry so it needed something to hold moisture as I plan to put some dahlias in there this year for autumn colour.. Despite me keep telling my self I am going to putting plants and shrubs in there so I don’t have to keep replanting come Summer and Spring.. Maybe next year!..

Thanks for stopping by, Sue. Yes, I’m finally getting rested but more work is coming. I have hired someone to fix the leaking and damaged carport. It wasn’t done right to start with so after 5 years, the repairs are costly. I am also working on my garden but the enthusiasm has waned with the attitude of our park managers militaristic attitude about things. Today would be a good one to be out there working in the yard but my sister has decided it would be a perfect one to visit. Now I must take my uphill walk. Only 2 weeks until my junk sale and hopefully the weather will be kind this year. Keep giving yourself time to enjoy the gift of life.